Half-term crime blitz in Hackney nets heroin worth £750,000

Friday 12 February 2010 11:54 BST

Police seized £750,000 of heroin during a 24-hour blitz on knife crime, targeting young people before schools close for the half term holiday.

The officers in Hackney also found a cannabis factory and arrested six people wanted for questioning over a double stabbing. Hackney police set up a marquee with X-ray machines and metal detectors. Thirty people were arrested.

Chief Superintendent Steve Bending, the borough commander, said officers were trying to prevent an upsurge in violence which normally occurs at the start of half term: "We have got 200 officers working in a 24-hour period in concerted activity around the start of half term.

"That is when we tend to see a spike. As a result of intelligence gained, we uncovered a cannabis factory."

Police said a total of 42 people were arrested in the sweep against youth crime in Hackney. Around 10 knives were also recovered.